Military Spouse of the Day: Tiffany Stanek

Introducing Tiffany Stanek, an Army spouse, married for 17 years, and currently stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Tiffany’s favorite part of being a military spouse has been that no matter where you go, you can meet an Army spouse and you automatically have something in common. She says, “I have never felt alone when we moved to a place where I knew no-one. I’m not sure about other branches, but the Army is a SMALL community and we tend to take care of each other. I have met so many people that will always be my closest friends along the way. I can text someone I haven’t talked to in 3 years and it is like we still lived down the street from one another. There are women all over this world right now that would take my call, no matter the time, because that is just how our relationships are.”

Tiffany’s advice for a new military special needs family is to continue to fight and fight, whether it is for your child or yourself. She says, “It took me years and several different states to find a good neurologist. Just keep fighting until you find what you want.”

Tiffany also advises families to keep their EFMP paperwork up-to-date regularly, not just every three years, as mandated. “Keep a copy around so that you know when things change quickly and you get that call that you are moving in 60 days you will at least have a starting place.”

Tiffany herself has undergone five back surgeries, seizures, chronic pain, generalized anxiety disorder, asthma, and has required multiple specialists across the board.

The Military Special Needs Network honors and salutes Tiffany Stanek as the Military Spouse of the Day! We thank you for being such a wonderful military spouse and advocate.

A site to discuss and learn about TRICARE Philippines Policies and Issues that are often times implemented in secret by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). Policies that result in payments at about 7.7% and 3.8% of what they should be or $328 per under 65 person instead of the expected $4,261 & $328 per over 65 person instead of the expected $8,650.